The Hollywood Show: ‘Willy Wonka’ Star Paris Themmen Talks About the Iconic Chocolate Room
Paris Themmen might not be as glued to television or TV cowboys as he was at 11, but the one-time Mike Teevee is still giddy when reminiscing about his days in the Factory.
At the Hollywood Show on September 6, Themmen spoke to ReMIND about the time he gained access to Willy Wonka’s Factory, which, in 1971, was not as celebrated as one might expect. In fact, as hard as it is to believe now, when Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory first came out, it didn’t have much of an impact. In fact, it was what one might call a flop.
“When it came out, it sort of came and went,” said Themmen. “I think they made their million bucks back for the budget of the film.”
However, once the film hit syndication and VHS, it took on a life of its own. “They started playing it only once a year. I think it started out on Thanksgiving. It was like appointment TV. You had to wait, sort of like the Wizard of Oz. And right around that time, I would say that’s probably the mid-to-late ’80s, it started to become clear that it was going to have legs and continue to be popular for years.”
The one-time Golden Ticket winner reflected on filming the 1971 classic and the treasured time he spent in the Chocolate Room, where many of the oversized flowers and colorful props were actually edible.
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“We went to Munich, Germany. We shot there, in my case, for nine weeks. Every day was a new adventure,” recalled Themmen. “That room was the most impressive set. It was built by Harper Goff, who they borrowed from Disney. He also designed the Nautilus for 20,000 Leagues [Under the Sea].”
“I was surprised at the moment that I saw the room, although I think they may have used my second take of surprise. But Julie — who played Veruca Salt — actually got a sneak peek before the instructions went out that we weren’t allowed to go in there and shouldn’t show the room to the kids. She actually went in and had a little picnic by the river.”
“Other things [happened] in that same room. He grabs the hair out of my head,” exclaimed the actor. “I’m bald now, [so] the joke there is that he took too many hairs. They did ask my permission for that, and I said, I remember clearly, sure I have plenty, but I don’t anymore,” laughed Themmen.
So, the big question: What did you get to eat?
“I ate some of the gum that I jumped up and down for father gum tree, which I guess, now that I think about it, that’s supposed to be a pun, right? A gum tree?,” said Themmen. “I like the three-course gum in the Inventing Room that was very tasty. It was like a couple of different kinds of toffee that they squished together. I really liked that one. I ate a couple. And when I went back for like a third one, the prop guy was like, No, we need some to make the movie so you can’t have any more.”
“It was an amazing room in an amazing film to make. It was a great experience if you’re going to be in a film as an 11-year-old, I recommend that you choose Willy.”
(Themmen was also kind enough to state that TV Guide Magazine and ReMIND would probably be Mike Teevee’s favorite bit of journalism.)
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